Minor Accident Involves School Bus on Compo Road South.
Police officers inspect damage to a Dattco school bus that was involved in a minor accident around noon today. The damage appeared to be a scrape along the side of the bus, which seems to have happened when the bus and a white SUV, also remaining on the scene, collided in the area of Compo Road South and Park Lane. No injuries were reported, and no word on whether or not the bus was actively transporting school children. Both vehicles were able to be driven away from the scene without towing assistance.
A Dattco school bus was involved in a more serious accident less than one year ago on February 7th, while carrying more than 20 Kings Highway Elementary School students. A WestportNow article describes the accident that required the extrication of the driver by local firefighters.
This white SUV also remained on the scene while Westport police officers investigated the collision.
Westport Public Schools allow 3 traditional snow days, Superintendent says: “…the experience of a snow day can be an unforgettable part of childhood and a unique opportunity for unstructured play.”
The email outlining 2020/2021 Snow Day protocols from Westport Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice:
“Good morning,
I want to provide an update to the school community on snow days this school year. Of course, after a 60 degree day yesterday, we are looking at a significant snow storm late Wednesday into Thursday.
On October 7, 2020, for the 2020-2021 school year only, the Connecticut State Board of Education approved the use of a remote learning day in lieu of a traditional snow day. Traditionally, snow days are required to be made up at the end of the school year. Remote learning days are not required to be made up at the end of the school year.
In reviewing the parameters of our current school calendar, if there are more than four snow days this year, the district is required to use the April vacation as makeup days beginning on Monday April 12. I would like to avoid encroaching on the April vacation, and I would like to ensure with some certainty that the school year will conclude by June 23 at the latest. Additionally, I may be a purist but I do believe that for most children, the experience of a snow day can be an unforgettable part of childhood and a unique opportunity for unstructured play.
For these reasons, the district will allow for only three traditional snow days that will be required to be made up in June. Any additional snow days beyond three will be remote learning days that will not be required to be made up in June. There is one additional day built in that will serve as a buffer in the event power outages require a school cancellation.
Finally, and critically important for planning, we will not have "back to back" snow days in the event that snow clean up requires a second straight snow day. If a second straight snow day is required, we will conduct a remote learning day on the second day. This might be the case this Friday if the forecast continues to project snowfall well into Thursday. Please plan accordingly.
It is likely that we will experience power outages. In the event of widespread power outages we will have to cancel school if the roads are not safe. However, we will conduct remote learning in the event of minimal outages.
Due to transportation issues, two hour delayed openings and early dismissals as a result of inclement weather will cancel either the AM or PM elementary session respectively.
For clarity, the approach to snow days can be summarized as follows:
no more than three snow days this year
remote learning will be conducted beginning with the fourth snow day
an additional day has been built in beyond the three snow days to preserve April vacation and the end of the school year no later than June 23
there will be no back to back snow days for the purposes of snow clean up on the streets
there will be power outages, however, if the outages are minimal, we will hold remote learning days after three snow days
a two hour delayed opening or an early dismissal will cancel the AM or PM elementary sessions
As circumstances emerge and evolve, we will make changes accordingly.
Thank you,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools”
Staples Players Radio Presents: A Christmas Carol, tonight at 6
Adapting to the changes in the world amidst a pandemic, the Staples Players will be performing live on-air tonight starting at 6:00 PM on WWPT Radio. The actresses and actors will be presenting their take on A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. The series of live radio broadcasts, including The Wizard of Oz and It’s a Wonderful Life, have been given high praise by listeners who, despite a pandemic, are still able to enjoy live theater by the widely renowned high school acting group.
Although not in the Staples High School auditorium, families are able to get into the holiday spirit while gathering around the speakers by listening to the stream live from the WWPT website. More information on this year’s season, and how you can support the Staples Players, can be found on the Staples Players website.
Governor Lamont Announces Connecticut Becomes First State in Nation To Require High Schools Provide Courses on Black and Latino Studies
Yesterday Governor Ned Lamont announced that the State is leading the nation in a new endeavour to increase diversity and assure all backgrounds are represented in the State’s high school education.
“The requirement is the result of a law Governor Lamont signed last year – Public Act 19-12 – that directs all regional and local boards of education to include an elective course of studies at the high school level that provides students with a better understanding of the African-American, Black, Puerto Rican, and Latino contributions to United States history, society, economy, and culture. Last week, the Connecticut State Board of Education unanimously approved the curriculum for the course, which was a final step needed to implement the requirement.
High schools may offer the course in 2021-2022 and will be required to offer it during the school year that begins in the fall of 2022.”
State Department of Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona applauded the new requirement, saying ““Identities matter, especially when 27 percent of our students identify as Hispanic or Latino and 13 percent identify as Black or African-American. This curriculum acknowledges that by connecting the story of people of color in the U.S. to the larger story of American history. The fact is that more inclusive, culturally relevant content in classrooms leads to greater student engagement and better outcomes for all. This law passed due in large part to the strong advocacy of students from around the state and the legislative leadership of State Representative Bobby Gibson and State Senator Doug McCrory. I thank Ingrid Canady, the SERC team, and all of our partners who contributed to and drove us to this historic moment.” (Press Release, Governor Ned Lamont’s Office)